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The southern end of the boating lake will be turned into a nature and wildlife area

Plans for a £600,000 revamp of a Lincolnshire seafront have been approved by councillors.

East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) has agreed to fund the project on the foreshore at Skegness.

The exterior of the Embassy Theatre will be revamped and railings and lampposts will be repainted.

The southern end of the boating lake will also be turned into a nature and wildlife area as part of the improvement work.

The Secret Garden on the southern foreshore will be overhauled to make it a "more pleasant area for people to spend their time," the council said.

New varieties of plants will also be introduced along the front to replace those plants that struggle to cope with the salty seaside air.

'More appealing'

The scheme is part of a masterplan to turn the resort's foreshore from North Parade to Gibraltar Point into four themed zones based on sport, family and events, culture and ecology.

ELDC hopes the masterplan, which is expected to be completed over the next three to five years, will attract more visitors and investment to the town.

Councillor Craig Leyland, portfolio holder for economic development, said: "This project will help deliver key elements of the foreshore masterplan and give Skegness a boost ahead of the 2012 season.

"The masterplan is clear that if the public sector looks after areas in its ownership the business community is more likely to invest in what they own; ultimately making Skegness a more appealing place for businesses who may wish to invest and bring jobs to the resort."